BILL NUMBER: AB 1240	CHAPTERED  07/22/99

	CHAPTER   141
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 22, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   JULY 21, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   JULY 12, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   JULY 8, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JULY 1, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 28, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 17, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 5, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ashburn
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Briggs , Calderon, Campbell, Florez,
Mazzoni, Pescetti, Reyes, and Wright)
   (Coauthors:  Senators Costa and Poochigian)

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to add Chapter 1.10 (commencing with Section 15365.30) to
Part 6.7 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to
international trade.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1240, Ashburn.  California Central Valley International Trade
Center.
   Existing law establishes various programs to promote economic and
business development.
   This bill would declare that it is the intent of the Legislature
(1) that the California Central Valley International Trade Center in
Tulare County coordinate and work cooperatively with other ongoing
international trade efforts in the Central Valley, and (2) that
funding for the center for specified purposes be appropriated in the
annual Budget Act or in another measure.  The bill would make related
legislative findings and declarations.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares that many
nations look to the West, particularly to the United States and
especially to California, for providing needed products and services.
  This interest has generated a number of visitors to the Central
Valley who are searching for suppliers to meet their needs.  It is
estimated that, on average, more than one delegation from a foreign
country visits the Central Valley each week of the year.  The manner
in which these visits occur and the manner in which they are handled,
for the most part, fail to recognize cultural differences and, in
general, fail to establish long-lasting business relationships.
Economic opportunities for the communities of the Central Valley are
lost due to the lack of a professionally organized marketing
coordination.  Some impact of this effect is reflected in the United
States balance of trade deficit figures.
   (b) The Legislature further finds and declares that the creation
of the California Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare
will help the businesses of the Central Valley obtain a larger share
of the global market for Central Valley products and services and
create new jobs through active expansion of export markets.  The
identification and use of public and private resources from
throughout the Central Valley in this undertaking will make possible
the employment of the best and most modern practices of export
technology to build and sustain a model trade development
organization, including the development and application of electronic
commerce designed to maximize exports of agricultural commodities
and other California manufactured or processed products.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 1.10 (commencing with Section 15365.30) is added
to Part 6.7 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:


      CHAPTER 1.10.  CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY INTERNATIONAL TRADE
CENTER

   15365.30.  (a) The California Central Valley International Trade
Center in Tulare has been created for the purpose of assisting
Central Valley businesses interested in expanding their markets.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Central Valley
International Trade Center in Tulare County coordinate and work
cooperatively with other ongoing international trade efforts in the
Central Valley, including the Counties of Fresno, Kern, Kings,
Madera, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare.
   15365.31.  The California Central Valley International Trade
Center in Tulare is working cooperatively with federal, state, and
local governments, as well as chambers of commerce, economic
development organizations, trade and product associations, service
providers, and private enterprise throughout the Central Valley to
accomplish all of the following:
   (a) Identify and recruit delegations of potential foreign buyers
of products produced in the Central Valley.
   (b) Coordinate visits to the Central Valley by arranging tours,
meetings, and social functions that begin the relationship-building
process.
   (c) Prepare a data base of existing and potential exporters of
goods and services in the Central Valley.
   (d) Provide information to Central Valley businesses interested in
exporting products and services regarding various opportunities made
possible by foreign interests.
   (e) Provide support services, such as telecommunications, meeting
rooms, interpreters, materials, and supplies.
   (f) Support a permanent display area, well stocked with brochures
and data, to showcase products and services of Central Valley
businesses.
   (g) Coordinate regional trade activities with international
contacts.
   (h) Organize and conduct trade missions to prospective client
operations and countries.
   (i) Organize group participation in international shows and other
events.
   (j) Identify governmental programs offering export assistance and
solicit support.
   (k) Conduct training and informational programs for interested
parties to promote trade opportunities using the resources of
existing export trade centers and services.
   (l) Engage in the establishment of a regional export incubator
program and center for small business and internship for students
enrolled in international trade studies.
   (m) Organize promotional programs and marketing materials relating
to Central Valley exports.
   (n) Maintain liaison between government agencies, Central Valley
businesses, and foreign buyers.
  SEC. 3.  It is the intent of the Legislature that funding for the
California Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare for
the purposes described in subdivisions (a) to (n), inclusive, of
Section 15365.31 of the Government Code be appropriated in the annual
Budget Act or in another measure.
